Men’s Soccer falls in NAC semifinals

MEQUON, Wis. - The Concordia University Wisconsin men's soccer team fell short of a spot in the Northern Athletics Conference championship game, losing to MSOE 2-0 in a conference semifinal match on Tuesday afternoon at Fitting Field.

The two teams played in Milwaukee just a week ago, a game that CUW won 1-0 in what was the Falcons' regular season finale.

The Raiders got the upper hand this time around; after first half goals from Mat Braden and Dan Hosko proved to be all MSOE would need to secure a spot in the NAC title game.

The Falcons created a number of good scoring chances in the first half, and CUW's best chance might have come when junior Kyle Sytsma (Antioch, Ill.) had a goal bound effort cleared away by the Raider defense with MSOE goalkeeper Garrett Farin out of position.

The visiting Raiders then got on the board in the 29th minute, when a scramble inside the Falcons' penalty area led to the ball dropping to Braden, who fired high into the net to grab the 1-0 lead.

Just a few moments later in the 35th minute, MSOE (12-7-1) doubled their lead when Brad Meissner made a run down the right side before threading the ball for Hosko, who sent a one-time shot just inside the far post.

Both teams had chances in the second half, and CUW almost pulled a goal back when sophomore Alberto Valle's (Milwaukee, Wis.) long range effort produced a great save from Farin.

Neither team could find the net, however, and the Raiders' pair of first half goals stood up to give MSOE a shot at an NAC title and a spot in the NCAA tournament.